CBeebies star allegedly made unacceptable comments

An actor who says he was unfairly dismissed from a hit children’s programme made unacceptable comments to a colleague, a tribunal has heard.

Isaac Blake, 28, alleges that he was sacked from the children’s programme In The Night Garden after complaining about a faulty animatronic suit.

Mr Blake, who played a Tombliboo, also told a tribunal in Birmingham that he was called ‘faggot’ and ‘bitch’ by a colleague.

He said: “I was unfairly dismissed because I raised concerns about health and safety being in the suit (and) about verbal abuse.

“I think if I had shut my mouth, taken the abuse, worked in a faulty suit, I would still be there now.”

On Tuesday, Marcus Difelice, representing the programme makers Ragdoll Limited, read out statements from production staff alleging that Mr Blake had made inappropriate comments.

One read: “Isaac was always making comments to me that were not acceptable. I had to say to him once, ‘Why can’t you have a conversation with me without looking at my crotch?'”

Another said: “He (Mr Blake) kept saying he was distracted by the totty on set.”

Mr Blake denied doing so.

The tribunal also heard evidence from Elisa Laghi, 31, who performed alongside Mr Blake. The Italian actress admitted calling Mr Blake a ‘bitch’ during an argument, but said she had used the word ‘faggot’ on only one occasion, in jest.